William kurtz



tlnited gime WILLIAM KURTZ, oFNnW Yoan, N. JY.

Letters Patent No. 104,963, dated July 5, 1870.

PHOTOGRAPHIC REFLECTOR.

The Schedule referred to in these Letten Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM KURTZ, of the citv of New York, in the county and State of New Yorlf, have invent-ed a new and Improved Photographic Bellector; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the artto make and use the same', reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification.

Figure l represents a front elevation of my irnpxfoved photographic reflector.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the same.

Figures 3, 4, and 5 are diagrams, illustrating the use of myreflector. f

Similar' letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention has for its object to construct an adjustable shield,by means of which the light thrown upon articles that are photographed can be absolutely controlled-at pleasure.

The screens heretofore employed are on upright,.

jointed frames, which canonly very in'iperfectly regulate the degree of shade.

My invention consists in the use of a jointed screen, with suitablel concave shields, which can be set at any suitable degree of inclination, for the purpose of' regulating the light tln'own uponl the article or person to be photographed.

A, in the drawing, represents an upright frame of oblong or other suitable shape, supported on legs B B, so as to Vstand firm wherever it may be placed.

The frame is composed of two upright bars, a a, and

of a top cross-piece, b. To the inner side of' each bar a is hinged a plate, C, and to the under side of the cross-piece b is also hinged a similar cross-plate, D. These three parts constitute an inner frame, of which each part may be set at any suitable angle to the main frame A. l

The lower end of this adjustable frame C D may 1 be formed by a pivoted plate, E, as shown; but this can be readily dispensed with.

To the outer side of each post a is hinged a vertical bar; il, and to each bar d is, by a piu, e, swiveled a concave shield, F. The' two shields F can, on and with the bars d, be swung in any desired position to throw the desired shade.

The frame Aris to be placed between the object and the camera., so that the rays of light pass through the opening in the frame.

It is evident that the adjustable shields or reflectors employed on the frame can be conveniently set to produce the desired eect. They can be made of suitable material, and colored to produce the desired reflex.

An ecct not quite as powerful as that produced by all the shields can be obtained by using the outer shields F only. I do not, therefore, necessarily confine myself to their combination with the inner shields B C D E.

Heretofore photographers were required to place their sitters with their faces turned fully or in part to the light, owing to the impossibility of photographing that part of the face and drapery which was turned from the light. Every attempt to obtain a good photograph from unlighted positions resulted in deep opaque shadows, entirely devoid of detail, while the high light on the other side was ltoo intense. A proper modulation of light, shade, and detail was thus hardly attained, the picture being full of harsh and severe contrasts.

By the aid of my invention the light can be managed and controlled at pleasure.

Thus, if G, fig. 3, represents a circular block, illuminated by rays of light from .the side, and H the camera, the simple act of photographing would produce an intense light at j' and a deep shadow at g, without propel' modulation. By adding the ordinaryY reflector 7i., as in fig. 4, the effect would be to drive the shadow away from f/ toward f, and to thereby illuminate strongly the extreme end, at y.

The mode of' applying the shadow isabsurd, and entirely inartistic. By adding my improved counterreflector the result will be as indicated in fig. 5. The rays of lghtrstriking on the wing F drive away a portion of the deep shadow, which is, however, pre- `vented from dwelling' on the center of the block, as

the same is illuminated by reflections from the wing F. The block now assumes its natural appearance,

4and is so lighted by the counter-reflector that it can be photographed with the proper light, which could heretofore, not be done.

Having thus described my invention,

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters4 Patent- 1. The improved counter-reflector herein described. 2. The photographic reflector, 'consisting ofthe open frame A and the inner shields C D E, all arranged as set forth.

3. The combination of the swivelcd shields F F with the open frame A, substantially as and `for the pur poses herein shown and described.

W. KURTZ.

Witnesses:

GUs'rAvE Dmrenron, Isc. KUNATH. 

